After a positive meeting with both the president and vice president of the Bermuda Auto Cycle Union, Ras Mykkal and David Vickers, new Youth Development, Sport and Recreation minister Tim Smith has vowed to be in attendance at Coney Island for the first moto of the new season on Sunday.

Mykkal and Vickers represented the first sports body to meet with the minister, a meeting which was called after the BCAU's plight was highlighted in a Royal Gazette article last week.

"It was basically an introduction type meeting when we discussed some of the problems we had,'' said Mykkal after Tuesday's meeting.

"It was a positive meeting. They (department) contacted me and made arrangements for a meeting. The minister has promised to be in attendance on Sunday for our season opener and will be able to get a first hand view of the competition, safety equipment and new safety standards that have been implemented.'' Mykkal pointed to an incident at the track last year when a child fell into the pond and nearly drowned as one of the reasons for the increased safety measures which including fencing off certain parts of the track.

"This came out of the sports forum last year and it was felt we needed to upgrade out safety standards but that pond is the responsibilty of Department of Works and Engineering and nothing has been done to fence that off,'' said the president.

"We've had to improve but they haven't, but that's not our responsibility.'' The BCAU officials discussed three main items with the minister in a meeting that lasted for about one-and-a-quarter hours. The only one Mykkal was prepared to divulge is the club's wish to be relocated.

"We discussed a lot of things and we look forward to seeing those three main items becoming real,'' said Mykkal.

"The only one I'm willing to discuss right now is the relocation of motocross from Coney Island and avenues we have to take to pursue that.'' Although there was some minor damage done to a portion of fencing by last weekend's high winds, all systems are go for Sunday's racing, with a fifth schedule being drafted up to take them to the end of the season. Because of the late start there will be some racing on successive weekends in a bid to catch up.

"Quite a few times we're racing three weeks in a row,'' Mykkal disclosed.

Racing will take place on the next two Sundays with a a break on December 17 before motos on Boxing Day, December 31 and January 7.

The number of competitors are up from 32 last season to 58 registered for this season from the Pee Wee classes to 250 class. Membership amongst non-riding members is also up, Mykkal says.

"We were allowed two days of practice on Saturday and Sunday, the first time we've been allowed to practice on a Sunday,'' the president said. "The riders are eager to go and took very little notice of the bad weather.'' In the 80cc class there is an expected three-way battle between defending champion Jamal Hassell, Howard Paynter and Craig Panchaud. Hassell will be the first rider in motocross history to carry the number one plate in that class as he's young enough (15) to stay in the 80cc division for two more years.

Pee Wee 50 class champion Maurice Symonds moves up to the 60cc division but doesn't look like providing a serious threat to Stephen Panchaud who has the experience from last year. Plus, Symonds has to get used to the clutch and gears on these bikes.

Pee Wee 80 champion Lorenzo Trott is off the island and is expected to miss the entire season.

From the 125 `C' class, Kyle Constable, Stephan Lightbourne and Kemo Simons move up to the 125 `B'. Of the three, Constable looks to be the serious threat for current top rider Robbie Smith.

Last year's lone 250 rider, Duprey Joell, has company this season in Maceo Smith and former rider and Omar Cannonier. President Mykkal also plans to ride on occasion.

Photos by Ras Mykkal READY TO GO -- Not even last weekend's bad weather could keep riders off the Coney Island track, as they practiced for the new season. Top, Howard Paynter Jr. flies high in the 80cc while, below, Maceo Smith is be hoping to cause a splash in the 250 class.